Press Releases
O’Melveny Expands Global Entertainment, Sports and Media Practice With Leading UK Dealmaker Lisbeth Savill
June 14, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Piper Hall Amber Burke Natalia Dorfman O'Melveny & Myers LLP O’Melveny & Myers LLP O’Melveny & Myers LLP office: +44 (20) 75584888 office: 202.220.5022cell: 202.870.1800 office: 415.984.8891 cell: 415.676.1052 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] LONDON – JUNE 14, 2012 – O’Melveny & Myers LLP is pleased to announce that prominent UK entertainment transactions lawyer Lisbeth “Libby” Savill will be joining the Firm in August as a partner in the Entertainment, Sports and Media Practice. She will be based in O’Melveny’s London office. Savill is the former head of Olswang LLP's Film and Television team.“
Libby has worked with some of the motion picture industry's most important and influential players, from major US studios to leading US and UKbased producers, distributors, and financiers, many of whom already are clients of our firm,” said Joseph Calabrese, chair of O’Melveny’s Entertainment, Sports and Media Practice. “She is known as the best entertainment lawyer in London for good reason, and we are thrilled to have her on our team. Libby will greatly enhance our ability to serve clients seamlessly not only in the UK and Europe, but on a global basis.”
A 23year veteran of the industry, Savill advises major studios and independent producers and distributors on the production, financing, and distribution of motion pictures as well as all other aspects of the business of film. Her practice also involves television and audio visual library sales and acquisitions. Representative matters include work on major British films The Full Monty, Hugo, An Education, and all the James Bond films since Goldeneye. Savill also structured the financing deals for the awardwinning film The King's Speech, receiving a coexecutive producer credit for her work.
“Having worked with O’Melveny’s firstrate entertainment team on a number of successful transactions for a number of years, I am excited about uniting our practices,” said Savill. “Our combined strengths and experience will be a great asset to clients doing deals around the world.”
Savill has achieved broad recognition as a leader in her field. In 2010, Savill received the UK Women in Film and Television Barclays Corporate Business Award, becoming the only lawyer in private practice to have won this award in its 20year history. She also was named to The Lawyer magazine’s “Hot 100” list in 2011, and earlier this year was The Times’ “Lawyer of the Week.” Actively involved in issues important to the entertainment sector, Savill recently served as the only lawyer on the Film Policy Review, commissioned by the UK government to make recommendations for the future of the film industry. She also is a governor of the British Film Institute, the lead body for film in the UK, and previously served as an invited member of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs experts panel regarding film tax credits. Savill is named as a “star” individual in media in Chambers UK 2012, which noted, “there is no one better at film financing.”
Savill holds a B.A. and LL.B. from the University of New South Wales and is admitted as a solicitor in England.
About O'Melveny & Myers LLP’s Entertainment, Sports and Media Practice For nearly a century, O’Melveny & Myers LLP has represented motion picture studios, television, music and new media companies, sports organizations, governing bodies, professional sports teams, financial institutions, strategic investors, and individual talent on groundbreaking and significant industry transactions. At the core of the Entertainment and Media Practice is the representation of clients in transactions involving the production, financing, and distribution of motion pictures and television programming aimed at audiences around the world. The Firm’s extensive experience in a broad array of transactions (including M&A, tax, capital markets, secured lending, insolvency/restructuring, and funds formation), combined with its longstanding relationships and knowhow in the entertainment and media industries, can provide a critical link for both established players and new entrants to the sector. For more information, please visit www.omm.com/entertainmentandmediatransactions/.
About O’Melveny & Myers LLP With approximately 800 lawyers in 15 offices worldwide, O’Melveny & Myers LLP helps industry leaders across a broad array of sectors manage the complex challenges of succeeding in the global economy. We are a valuesdriven law firm, guided by the principles of excellence, leadership, and citizenship. Our commitment to these values is reflected in our dedication to improving access to justice through pro bono work and championing initiatives that increase the diversity of the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.omm.com.